National Ugly Sweater Day; Chase of a Christmas Dream
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes when a book of fiction is released there’s something in the book that mimics something in real life. In this case, it happened with my Christmas release, Chase of a Christmas Dream, and National Ugly Sweater Day.
I almost edited the excerpt below out of the book because I wasn’t sure if it would offend anyone. I don’t think of that as self-censorship as much as I think of it as covering the bases. In other words, even my mom has a few ugly sweaters I’ve often teased her about…especially Christmas sweaters. It’s all in fun and not meant to be taken too seriously. And let’s face it, who hasn’t seen a sweater so ugly it hurts their feelings?And, I also think there’s something very sweet about ugly Christmas sweaters.
In any event, here’s the excerpt from Chase of a Christmas Dream. And here’s a great web site that’s actually dedicated to “National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.”
Feeling bored? Uninspired by life? Do you need four cups of coffee just to break the monotony of the 9 to 5? Fortunately, there is one special day in December that will alleviate these common maladies. That day, my friends, is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Friday, December 12, 2014! National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is about proudly sporting your favorite ugly Christmas sweater for the entire day…regardless of circumstances. Wear it to school, to work, to a funeral, to your sister’s wedding. Got an important interview on Friday? Oops, tough luck. Worried the judge will increase your sentence if you show up to court in an ugly Christmas sweater? Sorry bud, no exceptions. Share this special day with your friends and spread the word until your face falls off. Also, please send us pictures strutting your stuff in an ugly Christmas sweater. Let’s rock this! – See more at:
http://www.nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org/#sthash.T3yeIzqb.dpufFeeling bored? Uninspired by life? Do you need four cups of coffee just to break the monotony of the 9 to 5? Fortunately, there is one special day in December that will alleviate these common maladies. That day, my friends, is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Friday, December 12, 2014! National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is about proudly sporting your favorite ugly Christmas sweater for the entire day…regardless of circumstances. Wear it to school, to work, to a funeral, to your sister’s wedding. Got an important interview on Friday? Oops, tough luck. Worried the judge will increase your sentence if you show up to court in an ugly Christmas sweater? Sorry bud, no exceptions. Share this special day with your friends and spread the word until your face falls off. Also, please send us pictures strutting your stuff in an ugly Christmas sweater. Let’s rock this! – See more at:
http://www.nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org/#sthash.T3yeIzqb.dpufIt’s only a short excerpt. I can’t give any more out because of spoilers.
Len was already out the door and halfway to the terminal. “Thanks for driving us, Travis,” Jim said. And then he got out and ran toward the terminal to catch up with Len. It was a huge relief for Travis to drive them there. Jim would have had to park and he wanted to be with Len in case the worst happened. Although he was telling everyone that everything would be fine, he wasn’t so sure about this one.
They raced through the airport and found Helen and Radcliff Darling in the room that had been set up for people with family and relatives on the hijacked plane. The guards at the door asked them to show proof and identification and while they dug for their wallets Helen came over and explained who they were. Helen looked a little tired, and older, since the last time Jim had seen her. She was wearing jeans and her bright red Christmas sweater that had a big green glittery Christmas tree in the center.
He hugged her and said, “How are you?”
And here’s another reference to the sweater. You can read between the lines.
“Oh, good,” Doris said. “I’m glad they got in safely. Tell me, Jim, just between us, is your mother wearing another one of those awful Christmas sweaters again this year?”
Jim laughed. “Well, yes, she is.” He knew where this was going.
Doris sighed. “I’m glad I asked. This way I’ll be prepared for when I see her and I’ll refrain from saying anything that might sound insulting. I’ll just tell her she’s looking well and I’ll overlook the hideous Christmas sweater completely.”
Jim knew Doris meant no harm by this. She was an older woman of extreme privilege who had never owned a Christmas tree sweater in her life. “I love you, Doris. And I’ve missed you.”
Chase of a Christmas Dream
